Are you planning to participate in a pet parade with your dog?
Maybe you’ll be entering a pet Halloween costume contest this year.
Or perhaps you’re just thinking of taking your dog “trick or treating” with you.
This article is LOADED with helpful tips which are divided into these 8 sections:
- 4 Steps To Ease Your Dog Into Wearing Clothes Or A Costume
- How To Get Your Dog To Wear A Halloween Costume
- Easy DIY Halloween Costumes For Dogs
- 8 Fun Alternatives For Non-Costume Wearing Dogs
- How To Keep Your Dog SAFE (And HAPPY!) In A Dog Halloween Costume
- Easy Pumpkin Recipes To Make Halloween Treats For Dogs
- 7 Ways To Prepare If Your Dog Will Be At Home During Trick-Or-Treating
- 7 Things To Do If Your Dog Will Be Participating In Halloween Events
Take it from someone who’s been through the highs and lows of involving my dog in Halloween activities…
You’ll want to make sure that your dog doesn’t mind being dressed up way ahead of time!
Trying to get a dog to wear a Halloween costume (or ANY clothes for that matter) can sometimes be tricky.
Your dog may not like the feeling of wearing a strange, bulky outfit. And some dogs don’t like having anything on their back OR on their face at all!
Here’s how to get your dog to wear clothes or costumes…
4 Steps To Ease Your Dog Into Wearing A Costume
STEP #1: See & Smell
At the very least, you’ll want to do a “dress rehearsal” several days ahead of time.
Start by introducing the item of clothing (or costume) to your dog 2 to 3 weeks ahead of time. Allow your dog to feel it and smell it. Leave it sitting out (while you’re at home) — so they can get used to the sight and smell of it.
Dole out your dog’s favorite treats and give your dog lots of praise any time they go up to the item ON THEIR OWN. This builds a positive association for your dog.
STEP #2: Head and Face
Your first step is to simply get your dog used to wearing something on their head / face.
Start with some very basic items — like a hat, sunglasses, or hair ribbons.
Don’t go out and buy these things. Experiment with your own items — because you’re simply trying to get your dog used to having things on him for short periods of time. You’ll be watching your dog closely the entire time, so there’s no risk of your dog damaging them.
Again, look for even the smallest opportunities to give your dog a treat and lots of praise for keeping the items on for very short bits of time.
STEP #3: Body
Next, try a t-shirt (either a dog-sized shirt or a small child’s shirt) OR a pair of shorts (again, made just for dogs or a child’s pair).
This will determine how comfortable your dog is wearing something ON their body.
For some dogs, anything at all is too confining. For others, some items are no big deal.
Continue to give treats and lots of praise even for very short periods of sitting still with the item on. Gradually increase to bigger treats AND more of them for every little bit of improvement your dog makes toward keeping the item on without pawing at it, biting it, or running away.
STEP #4: Feet
Finally, depending on how far you want to take it (or what’s included with your dog’s costume), it’s time to see how comfortable your dog is having something on their feet.
Dog boots (or booties) take extra time for most dogs to get used to.
That’s why I recommend getting your dog used to wearing a soft, comfortable pair of child’s socks before trying any “official” dog footwear — which is likely to be tight-fitting and somewhat confining.
My dog is pretty easy-going and he will sit through just about anything you put him through — from trimming nails and brushing teeth to wearing hats and sunglasses. But… the dog boots we bought for him to wear in the winter definitely took the most time to get used to. It was a gradual success, rather than an overnight success.
My best tip for dog footwear is to put them on just the front paws OR just the back paws first. That way, your dog will still have full control and normal feeling on the other two paws.
One of my dogs did fine when we went all out and put toddler socks on all 4 paws at once. My other dog took much longer getting used to having something on their feet. Truthfully, he never actually adapted to it.
The Bottom Line:
Depending on the dog, it could take anywhere from 1 day to many weeks of trying to get your dog comfortable with wearing items on their head, face, body, and feet. If you find that your dog just doesn’t like wearing clothes, then don’t force your dog to wear them! That will just stress out your dog… and lead to other problems.
How To Get Your Dog To Wear A Halloween Costume
As long as you use positive reinforcement AND you’ve already experimented with the simple items mentioned above first, then you should be able to get your dog to wear a Halloween costume in no time!
As with ANY item of clothing, it could take several days or several weeks before your dog is comfortable with wearing a costume. It all depends on the dog.
Please… If your dog just doesn’t like wearing the costume you bought or made for them, don’t force your dog to wear it. Doing so will really stress out your dog and won’t be fun for anybody — you, the dog, or the people and dogs around you.
Easy DIY Halloween Costumes For Dogs
Make Your OWN Cute Puppy Costume!
Here’s how to make a puppy dog costume yourself (which would be great as part of a “dog walker” costume) using clothing and items you probably already have:
- Start with a brown hooded sweatshirt, brown pants and 4 pairs of beige socks. (Or, you could substitute black clothes with gold socks, brown clothes with white socks.)
- Pin a sock on either side of the hood for floppy ears.
- Roll one sock up and stuff it into another to make a tail — then pin it on the back of the sweatshirt.
- Cover hands and feet with socks.
…It’s as simple as that!
Check out this video tutorial to see how to make a really cute puppy dog face with makeup:
Here are my favorite dog Halloween costumes you can make with little or NO SEWING!
If you’ve determined that your dog doesn’t like wearing a full-on Halloween costume, all is not lost. Check out these 8 fun alternatives…
8 Fun Alternatives For Non-Costume Wearing Dogs
#1 – Dog bandanas – Not all of them must be folded & tied. Some are actual dog collars, so they’re less restricting and feel like your dog’s own collar. Others can be worn on the head (like a scarf).
#2 – Halloween dog collars – These have fun decorations and sayings specifically about Halloween. Again, most dogs are used to having collars around the neck area.
#3 – Dog Halloween toys – Maybe your dog will carry one around, or you could just carry them in your arms with your dog or place them in your dog’s stroller.
#4 – Dog hair dye – It’s a simple way to change your dog’s overall look. Orange dog hair dye would be good for Halloween, but it’s not the only color. For example, pink dog dye and green dog dye would look great on the right dogs! Plus, you don’t have to dye all of your dog’s fur… maybe just some highlights would be fun. (Or, for a spa day Halloween costume, just put rollers in your dog’s hair!)
#5 – Neck accessories for dogs – Hung loosely around your dog’s neck, the right combination of items could make a unique look or statement. But don’t take your eyes off your dog while wearing the bling — because those items could strangle your dog if they get caught on something (like my dog’s chain collar did).
#6 – Sunglasses or doggles – You can experiment to see where your dog tolerates wearing them best: over his eyes, or over his tail!
#7 – Backpacks & tote bags – If your dog is more comfortable being carried than walking, then you could dress up as a hiker and tote your dog around in a hiking backpack! Or, carry your dog around like Toto in a basket from the Wizard of Oz.
#8 – Hats, headbands, other headwear – My best tip if your dog doesn’t like wearing costumes is to keep practicing with a basic dog Santa hat. It’s simple. It’s festive. And while your dog may not win any pet costume contests, once your dog gets accustomed to wearing it, you can get 2 holidays of use from it — Christmas and Halloween! There’s nothing wrong with a dog going as a simple Santa Claus (or would that be Santa Paws?) for Halloween. My dogs did one year:
TIP: If you can’t get a Santa hat to stay on your dog’s head, try a smaller hat with less material to flop around. Or, add your own thicker elastic band to secure it in place. You could also make your own dog Santa hat with a thicker neck band than usual — so it will stay in place comfortably. Or just go with a pair of headband antlers instead. (Headbands tend to stay on a dog’s head much better.)
Keep Your Dog SAFE (And HAPPY!) In Their Costume
Now, since pets wearing costumes poses some unique safety issues (both for you and your dog), here are 8 important things that you’ll want to think about before heading out the door with your dog in costume:
- Use your best judgment as to whether your dog will wear a costume and be comfortable in groups — or whether it will freak your dog out. You will know this better than anyone else. Only you know how your dog reacts around other dogs, kids, and strangers. If your dog isn’t comfortable in loud groups, then you may want to think twice about entering him in a parade or costume contest. Without a doubt, you need to make sure that you always have adequate control of your dog during the times when he is close to other dogs and people.
- Make sure that you will be able to maintain control of your dog at all times when he’s in the costume — just like you do when you’re on a regular walk. That means being able to attach his regular leash and/or harness while the costume is on.
- Don’t leave home without your dog wearing a collar and ID tags — you never know what might arise when you’re out & about. If your dog should get separated from you for some reason, his ID tags will be the only way to ensure that your dog finds his way back to you.
- Make sure your dog’s Halloween costume doesn’t have any parts to it that could accidentally bind him or cause him to get caught up in or trip over. Just the same, remove any parts that he could choke on or that might be poisonous to your dog if he swallowed them.
- It gets hot inside costumes — so you will need to find ways to prevent your dog from overheating inside the dog Halloween costume that you pick. Make sure it’s not too tight on him, that there is plenty of room to breathe, and that he’s not panting too much.
- Make sure that your dog is highly visible — because not everyone will expect to see a 2-foot gobblin walking next to you. If there’s any chance of it getting dark while your dog is out & about in costume, then use a reflective leash and/or dog collar. They also make reflective leg bands for dogs (That means up to 4 opportunities for your dog to be noticed!) Or, you could attach a blinking light to your dog’s collar to make him more visible at night.
- Keep your dog from becoming thirsty — because he will probably be walking more than usual. Take along a water bottle for your dog to ensure that he never becomes dehydrated — because you probably don’t know just how long the day’s events will last.
- Don’t allow your dog to eat things found on the ground or eat treats received from strangers — at least not until you get home. Many people don’t realize that chocolate is bad for dogs, as is Xylitol (found in sugarless gum and candy). Plus, if your dog doesn’t normally eat human foods at home, then you don’t want him to get them when he’s out & about either.
How To Make Halloween Treats For Dogs
On Halloween this year, you are likely to see some four-legged trick-or-treaters among all the children.
Since more people are taking their dogs trick-or-treating with them, why not have a separate bowl of HOMEMADE dog biscuits at the door — next to the bowl of candy for the children?
My favorite homemade Halloween dog treat recipes
- Tricky Treats For Dogs
- Pumpkin Pie Dog Biscuits
- Cranberry Pumpkin Dog Treats
- Halloween Sweet Potato Flour Dog Biscuits
- Pumpkin & Peanut Butter Dog Treats
- Halloween Peanut Butter Dog Cookies
- Natural Pumpkin & Peanut Butter Dog Treats
- Pumpkin Pie Drops For Dogs
- Blueberry Quinoa Dog Treats
- Dog-Friendly Recipes From Rachel Ray
- Peanut Butter Carob Poo Piles
Fun ways to give dogs Halloween treats
Whether you give four-legged trick-or-treaters ‘regular’ dog biscuits this Halloween or special homemade ones, you’ll need to decide in advance how you will give them to the dogs.
Some ideas:
- Give the dog biscuit directly to the dog owner to give to their dog now. This is the easiest option, since no extra planning is needed.
- Wrap a dog biscuit in a small Halloween decorated bag and hand it to the dog owner to give to the dog later. If you made the dog treats yourself, consider including the actual recipe. You’ll make the dog owner’s day!
- Place a Halloween dog treat in a see-thru snack-size baggie. That way, it’s obvious to the dog owner (and the children) that this treat is intended for dogs. With the right markers or paints, you could make small Halloween decorations right on the plastic baggie for a simple, fun touch.
How Much Fun Is Halloween For Dogs?
Dog stress is a serious issue. You don’t want your dog to be stressed during Halloween, right?
Following are 7 things you MUST DO in order to keep your dog safe and happy on Halloween night…
If Your Dog Will Be Participating In Halloween Events…
- How to adjust your dog’s normal routine to accommodate the Halloween trick-or-treaters that will be ringing the doorbell soon after dinner.
- How to keep your dog calm and prevent vomiting, diarrhea, submissive urination, or even canine aggression on Halloween night.
- The #1 thing you should do to keep your dog safe in case he slips out the door when trick-or-treaters arrive.
- What you need to know about dogs and chocolate… and how much chocolate is too much for a dog.
- How to prevent your normally friendly dog from biting a child or stranger while trick-or-treating or attending a Halloween party.
- What to look for to ensure that your dog isn’t too stressed out… IF you decide to dress your dog in a Halloween costume.
- How to puppyproof your Halloween decorations to keep your dog safe at home.
Does your dog always bark at the doorbell? Halloween is a great time for dog doorbell training!
If Your Dog Will Be Staying Home On Halloween…
According to the American Humane Society, incidents of dogs being poisoned after eating candy increase substantially during Halloween.
Of course, you wouldn’t want your dog to become ill or injured due to your own negligence. Your dog is part of your family and you are his pack. He trusts you to keep him safe.
Here are some important things to keep in mind this Halloween:
#1 – Be sure to take your dog out to pee and poop before spooks and ghouls begin constantly ringing your doorbell right after dinner.
As the sun sets on Halloween, attach your dog to you using a waist leash. This allows you to have your hands free to hand out candy (and controlling your dog if necessary) while limiting your dog’s movement toward strangers. If possible, exercise your dog’s mind and body a few hours before trick-or-treaters arrive. Your goal is to tire out your dog. If you are unable to take your dog on a vigorous walk and then play some fun doggy mental games, consider hiring a professional dog walker or pet sitter to be your proxy for that afternoon. ~Pets Best
#2 – Strangers in spooky costumes will be coming to your door for hours. This can be confusing for your dog and lead to vomiting, diarrhea or even submissive urination. An otherwise docile pet may even experience canine aggression on Halloween from all the excitement.
The first step is to keep your dog as comfortable as possible – away from windows and the front door, in a quiet area where he can have a nice something to chew on. Here are 6 other things you can try. ~Dogs Naturally
#3 – Any open door gives your dog an opportunity to escape. On Halloween night, make sure that your dog is wearing a collar and ID tags, just in case he slips away momentarily or escapes and becomes lost. Many pets are lost on Halloween night — don’t let this happen to your dog!
The SPCA reports that the day after Halloween is the busiest day for lost dogs and cats to arrive at the shelters. Just think how strange it must be for a pet to hear the doorbell ringing constantly and see very strange human like bodies shouting “Trick or Treat!” ~Southside Place Animal Hospital
#4 – Keep all forms of candy out of your dog’s reach. Candy (especially chocolate) is toxic to dogs — because they don’t have the stomach enzymes to digest it. The amount of chocolate that’s dangerous depends on the size of your dog. Don’t allow your dog to become a statistic — have your dog’s favorite treats on hand, or give him a filled Kong toy, or make these homemade dog Halloween treats.
Before Halloween and during trick-or-treating, keep candy safely stashed in a high cabinet secured with a lock or child-safety latch. Many foods, such as chocolate, gum and xylitol (a sweetener used in many foods), are hazardous to pets. Watch your kids! Children may make the harmful mistake of sharing their loot. Make sure they know the difference between a treat for them and a treat for their four-legged friends. Keep the 24-hour ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center hotline handy: 888-426-4435. If you suspect your pet has eaten something that’s bad for them, call your veterinarian or the Poison Control Center immediately. ~Humane World for Animals
#5 – Don’t send your dog out trick-or-treating with your kids. That’s a parent’s job, not a child’s job. Young children aren’t capable of caring for a dog when spooky ghosts and goblins are flooding the streets. If your dog gets loose and becomes confused, frightened, or disoriented… he may even bite out of fear. Dog bites are serious and all dogs who bite are looked upon as a threat — in the neighborhood.
Halloween’s sights and sounds are unlike any other time of the year. People come in and out of homes in scary costumes. There are a lot of loud voices, doorbells, and commotion. Frightening decorations are everywhere — some with strobe lights or artificial fog. Because there is so much going on, dogs can react in ways they never have before. Common reasons that a dog will bite:
- An instinct to protect the dog’s owner or the owner’s property
- Confusion or fear due to unknown visitors, sights, or sounds
- Aggravation from hugging, poking, waving hands in the dog’s face, or pulling its fur, tail, ears
- Injury or sickness ~Edgar Snyder
#6 – Think twice before dressing your dog in a pet Halloween costume. These are often uncomfortable for dogs — not to mention the fact that elastic can become twisted in the dog’s fur and cause swelling. Your dog may decide to chew on the costume, and he may even eat parts of it. This could lead to an intestinal blockage, in addition to the pure stress he’s already going through on Halloween night.
Your safest choice in a pet Halloween costume would be a loosely tied bandana. However, if you choose to dress up your pet, outfit your dog with a simple approach. Pets can become tangled in elaborate, tight-fitting costumes with strings, ties, belts and sashes. Difficulty in mobility can lead to bodily injury — including strangulation. Never leave a pet unattended while wearing a costume. Small (or large) parts of a costume can become chewed and ingested and can in turn potentially lead to foreign body ingestion which can be life threatening to your pet. ~Pet Health Zone
#7 – Puppyproof your house to keep Halloween decorations, electrical cords, homemade spider webs, and streamers hidden and out of reach from your dog. Chewing on these can cause dogs to become seriously ill (or even die). Things like streamers and spider webs can choke off the intestines — and if your dog chews on electrical cords, he may become electrocuted.
If you have candles or votives as part of your decorations, make sure the lighted candles are out of “tail range”. Although most candles on Halloween are used to light up the inside of a pumpkin, that doesn’t mean it’s completely free of danger! A swiping dog tail could easily knock a candle over, and a very excited pup can roll over a pumpkin, sending the candle flying and lighting everything in its path. ~Vet Depot
The Bottom Line
It’s up to YOU to do everything you can to keep your dog safe this Halloween.
I hope that everyone who sees this decides to use the tips in this article (and your own common sense) to ensure that you and your dog have a safe and happy Halloween!
Because you can never be too prepared…
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